Letters to the editor: Tauranga's road network nearing collapse

One reader says abortion statistics for 2017 reveal a continuing disregard for the sanctity of life of the unborn child. Photo/File

Understanding a study

Have you read the council's Urban Network Study 2011-2041 study? Probably not – it's dry reading and full of corporate speak. Disturbing is the conclusion Tauranga's road network will not be able to cope with medium-term levels of traffic demand. This is not surprising because commuters are already experiencing the early stages of this collapse.

Of significant concern, however, the study promotes walking/bike/bus modes of transport as the only interventions worth promoting. Worse, this mantra has been incorporated into the council's 2012-2042 transport strategy.

This strategy document gives no consideration as to what is an optimal transport system. It's a long-term strategy document to fulfil the council's obligations to represent the local community.Whether councillors like it or not – cars are an integral part of the transport network. Cameron and Fraser Rds are major components for traffic volumes in the CBD/peninsula corridor.

An easy fix to recognise these corridors as priority arterials is get rid of roadside parking and turn the already sufficiently wide road into four car lanes plus a cycleway.
(Abridged)
Richard Cross
Pyes Pa

No accident?

Tuesday's front page "Begging ban protest" story featured a placard which read: Poverty is no accident. Um, okay, so it is a deliberate choice then.
What are the teams again?
Stuart Pedersen
Mount Maunganui

Homeless debate and rates

I find the comments made in your paper by councillor Terry Molloy regarding the hīkoi very frustrating (News, June 14). Molloy said that the new bylaw for homeless quote; "it's just stopping them [homeless] from doing harm to small businesses who are struggling". Yet Molloy was one who voted for small businesses to pay more rates to offset residential rates. Maybe small businesses should have a hīkoi for increased rates so we don't struggle.
Alan Ryan
Welcome Bay

Begging ban the right move

Full marks to Tauranga City for legislating to remove the layabouts and intimidation from our streets. Why should shop owners, their customers and the public have to put up with the type of behaviour that we have observed recently? These people have an element of choice in their circumstances. If they go through the right protocols they are entitled to a benefit financed by hardworking taxpayers.

Some will think that I lack compassion. True it is more for those poor people on benefits and other low income who struggle to exist. My compassion and respect is even greater for those working in the social agencies, many voluntary or low paid, to improve the lot of the poor and disadvantaged.

There are plenty of other places equally unsatisfactory for those who are moved from shop doorways. These people have a culture of their own and know how to work the system which is fair enough. They also protect their patch. Recently I assisted an out-of-town person who slept rough in the grounds of Holy Trinity Church. His greatest problem was being woken frequently by the local street people and intimidated.

Most citizens of Tauranga respect there are people in difficult circumstances and are supportive by our taxes, rates and personal efforts. We citizens are entitled to some respect as well.
Bill Capamagian
Tauranga

Why the indifference?

The abortion statistics for 2017 reveal a continuing disregard for the sanctity of life of the unborn child. It was Joseph Stalin who said the death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions is a statistic. Since 1977 more than 500,000 children have been violently killed in their mother's womb, which is a massive violation of human rights. Why is the media so coldly indifferent to the killing of New Zealand children before birth? Why too are the churches silent? Those heroic women who chose life for their baby are to be applauded.

Right to Life requests that the Government introduces abstinence sexuality programmes to replace school sex education programmes which encourage promiscuity with abortions arranged without the knowledge or consent of parents which is a backup for failed contraceptives.

Repeat abortions totalled 4844 - 3106 were having their second, 1158 were having their third, 376 were having their fourth, 138 their fifth, 37 their sixth, 19 their seventh and 10 their eighth or more. These statistics are a tragedy for women. Studies conducted in the United States reveal that repeat abortions are actually 50 per cent of the total abortions reported.
Ken Orr, spokesperson Right to Life